Reusable water tank handle

ABSTRACT

A water heater handle may comprise a connecting portion, a first pipe nut connected to the connecting portion on a first end of the connecting portion and configured for attachment to a first water tank piping connection, and a second pipe nut connected to the connecting portion on a second end of the connecting portion and configured for attachment to a second water tank piping connection.

FIELD

The present invention relates to water tanks, and more specifically, to equipment for assistance in manually lifting and moving water tanks.

BACKGROUND

Water heater tanks can be extremely heavy and difficult to lift and move. Water heater tanks become especially heavy if calcium and other sediments have accumulated at the bottom of the tank over the course of many years of use. Also, the circumference of water heater tanks is usually larger than the wingspan of the average human (e.g. 62-69″). Therefore, lifting and moving a water heater tank can be very difficult or awkward.

It would be advantageous to provide a better and more convenient system and method to manually lift and move water heater tanks.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The disclosed embodiments relates to a handle for assisting in manually lifting and moving a water tank. The handle may comprise a connecting portion, a first pipe nut connected to the connecting portion on a first end of the connecting portion and configured for attachment to a first water tank piping connection, and a second pipe nut connected to the connecting portion on a second end of the connecting portion and configured for attachment to a second water tank piping connection.

The present disclosed embodiments further relates to a handle for assisting in manually lifting and moving a water tank. The handle may comprise a connecting portion and a pipe nut connected to the connecting portion and configured for attachment to a water tank nipple.

The present disclosed embodiments further relates to a method for manually lifting and moving a water tank The method may comprise attaching a first pipe nut of a water tank handle to a first water tank piping connection of the water tank, attaching a second pipe nut of the water tank handle to a second water tank piping connection of the water tank, and lifting the water tank by grasping a connection portion of the water tank handle between the first pipe nut and the second pipe nut.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a water heater according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 1B illustrates a top portion of a water heater according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flexible water heater handle according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates the flexible water heater handle of FIG. 2 attached to a water heater according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rigid water heater handle according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates the rigid water heater handle of FIG. 4 attached to a water heater according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a loop water heater handle according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates the loop water heater handle of FIG. 6 attached to a water heater according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method of using a water heater handle according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of an embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention. It is not intended to limit the invention to the specific illustrated embodiments

Water heaters comprise various sizes (e.g. number of gallons, height, circumference), but tank water heaters 100 are generally cylindrical in shape (See FIG. 1A) and include some dimensions that are standardized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

FIG. 1B generally illustrates a composition of a top portion 102 of a water heater 100. The top portion 102 of the water heater 100 may be generally circular in shape and generally include a cold water inlet port 104 and a hot water outlet port 106. Gas water heaters may further include an exhaust vent pipe 108 (FIG. 1B). Electric water heaters may omit the exhaust vent pipe 108. In some water heaters, a pressure and/or temperature relief value may also be included on the top portion 102.

The cold water inlet port 104 and the hot water outlet port 106 may be spaced apart on the top portion 102 of the water heater tank 100 according to an ANSI standardized dimension, which is a distance of eight inches. In other words, both a center point of the cold water inlet port 104 and a center point of the hot water outlet port 106 may be four inches away from a center point of the top portion 102 of the water heater 100. Also, according to ANSI standards, a line drawn from the center point of the cold water inlet port 104 to the center point of the hot water outlet port 106 may cross through the center point of the top portion 102. That is to say, the hot water outlet port 106 may be opposite the cold water inlet port 104 along a line bisecting the top portion 102. Furthermore, both the cold water inlet port 104 and the hot water outlet port 106 may be standardized to comprise ¾″ National Pipe Thread dimensions. The cold water inlet port 104 and the hot water outlet port 106 may generally comprise outward extending nipples that can be connected to ¾″ piping connections that transport hot water to sinks, showers, laundry machines, etc.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flexible water heater handle 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. The flexible water heater handle 200 comprises a first female pipe nut 202A, a second female pipe nut 202B, and a connecting portion 204, where the first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B are connected to the connecting portion 204 on opposite ends of the connecting portion 204.

The first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B may be ¾″ National Pipe Thread pipe nuts so that the first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B may connect to standardized nipples 104, 106 included on a top portion 102 of a conventional water heater 100. The first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B may comprise swivel fittings configured to engage the threaded nipples 104, 106 included on the top portion 102 of the conventional water heater 100. The first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B may spin independently and may be independently attached to the nipples 104, 106 included on the top portion 102 of the conventional water heater 100.

According to the flexible water heater handle 200 embodiment, the connecting portion 204 may comprise a flexible or semi-flexible material that can bend. By bending the connecting portion 204, the first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B may be positioned above the nipples 104, 106 for connection. According to an exemplary embodiment, the connecting portion 204 may comprise a hydraulic hose, and the first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B may be crimped to the hydraulic hose by a hydraulic press. The connecting portion 204 may also comprise other flexible materials, such as rope, plastic, or any other strong, flexible material. In a some embodiments, the flexible water heater handle 200 may support up to, for example, 400 pounds. The connecting portion 204 may comprise, for example, a hose having a diameter of ¾″, but the diameter of the connecting portion 204 may vary or may be customized based on a size of a user's hands.

The first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B may comprise plastic or metal and can support up to, for example, 400 pounds.

The flexible water heater handle 200 may further comprise a protective sock 206 that surrounds the connecting portion 204. The protective sock 206 may increase the comfort of the flexible water heater handle 200 when being used by a user to lift a water heater 100. In some embodiments, the protective sock 206 may comprise a soft fabric.

The flexible water heater handle 200 may comprises a length of, for example, 20-24 inches, but the flexible water heater handle 200 is not limited to those lengths.

FIG. 3 illustrates the flexible water heater handle 200 connected to a water heater 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the flexible water heater handle 200 assumes an arch shape after connecting the first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B to the nipples 104, 106 of the water heater 100. After securely connecting the first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B to the nipples 104, 106, a user may grasp the connecting portion 204 and leverage the flexible water heater handle 200 to lift and move the water heater 100.

Because the length of the flexible water heater handle 200 may be significantly longer than eight inches, the arch shaped formed by the flexible water heater handle 200 may extend, for example, nine to fourteen inches above the top portion 102 of the water heater 100. The relatively tall arch shape allows for a user to easily fit his or her hand into the arch shape and also may provide room for the exhaust vent pipe 108 if the water heater 100 is a gas water heater. Because the nipples 104, 106 are positioned about a center of the top portion 102, the handle 200 attaches to the water heater 100 at points 104, 106 that cause the weight of the water heater 100 to be substantially evenly distributed.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rigid water heater handle 300 according to an exemplary embodiment. The rigid water heater handle 300 comprises a first female pipe nut 202A, a second female pipe nut 202B, and a connecting portion 304, where the first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B are connected to the connecting portion 304 on opposite ends of the connecting portion 304.

According to the rigid water heater handle 300 embodiment, the connecting portion 304 may comprise a rigid material that does not substantially bend. Due to its rigid nature, the connecting portion 304 may be a generally U-shape, and the connecting portion 304 may be slightly longer than eight inches long so that the first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B may be easily positioned above the nipples 104, 106 for connection. That is, the rigid connecting portion 304 may be shaped so that a length A between a center of the first female pipe nut 202A and a center of the second female pipe nut 202B is eight inches. According to an exemplary embodiment, the connecting portion 204 may comprise rigid plastic, metal, or piping. The first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B may be connected to the connecting portion 304 through a threaded connection or via molding. In a preferred embodiment, the rigid water heater handle 300 may support up to 400 pounds. The connecting portion 304 may comprise a diameter of ½″, but the diameter of the connecting portion 304 may vary and may be customized based on the size of a user's hands.

The rigid water heater handle 300 may further comprise an ergonomic indentation 306 to facilitate a user's fingers gripping the water heater handle 300. The ergonomic indentation 306 may be customized to the user's hand. The ergonomic indentation 306 may include indents where a user's fingers may comfortably fit within the connecting portion 304.

FIG. 5 illustrates the rigid water heater handle 300 connected to a water heater 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the rigid water heater handle 300 may maintain its U-shape after connecting the first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B to the nipples 104, 106 of the water heater 100. After securely connecting the first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B to the nipples 104, 106, a user may grasp the connecting portion 304 and leverage the rigid water heater handle 300 to lift and move the water heater 100.

The rigid water heater handle 300 may have a height B of, for example, nine to fourteen inches above the top portion 102 of the water heater 100. The height B of the rigid water heater handle 300 allows for a user to easily fit his or her hand around the rigid water heater handle 300 and also provides room for the exhaust vent pipe 108 if the water heater 100 is a gas water heater.

FIG. 6 illustrates a loop water heater handle 700 according to an exemplary embodiment. The loop water heater handle 700 comprises a first female pipe nut 202A, a second female pipe nut 202B, and a connecting portion 704, where the first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B are connected to the connecting portion 704 on opposite ends of the connecting portion 204.

According to the loop water heater handle 700 embodiment, the connecting portion 704 may comprise a flexible or semi-flexible material that can bend or be knotted. The connecting portion 704 may form a loop handle 707. For example, the connecting portion 704 may comprise leather, chains, or any other material that can form the loop 707.

FIG. 7 illustrates the loop water heater handle 700 connected to a water heater 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the loop water heater handle 700 provides the loop 707 above the water heater 100 so that a user may lift and move the water heater 100. After securely connecting the first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B to the nipples 104, 106, a user may grasp the loop 707 and leverage the flexible water heater handle 200 to lift and move the water heater 100.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 for using a water heater handle 200, 300, 700 to lift and move a water heater 100. The method 800 begins at step 802 where the first female pipe nut 202A is attached to a first nipple 104 or 106 (either the cold water inlet port 104 or the hot water outlet port 106). In some embodiments, the user attaches the first female pipe nut 202A to the first nipple 104 or 106 by securely screwing on a swivel fitting of the first female pipe nut 202A to the threading of the nipple 104 or 106. Subsequently, at step 804, the second female pipe nut 202B is attached to a second nipple 104 or 106 (either the cold water inlet port 104 or the hot water outlet port 106—whichever was not connected to the water heater handle at step 802). In some embodiments, the user attaches the second female pipe nut 202B to the second nipple 104 or 106 by securely screwing on a swivel fitting of the second female pipe nut 202B to the threading of the nipple 104 or 106. After securely connecting the first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B to the nipples 104, 106, in step 806, a user may grasp the connecting portion 204, 304, 704 and leverage the water heater handle 200, 300, 700 to lift and move the water heater 100.

After moving the water heater 100 using the water heater handle 200, 300, 700, a user may detach the first and second female pipe nuts 202A, 202B from the nipples 104, 106 so that the water heater handle 200, 300, 700 may be reused to move another water heater 100. In some embodiments, the user detaches the first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B from the first and second nipples 104 and 106 by unscrewing swivel fittings of the first and second female pipe nuts 202A and 202B from the threading of the nipples 104 and 106.

Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, the logic flows described above do not require the particular order described or sequential order to achieve desirable results. Other steps may be provided, steps may be eliminated from the described flows, and other components may be added to or removed from the described systems. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the invention.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific system or method described herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover all such modifications as fall within the sprit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A handle for assisting in manually moving a water tank comprising: a connecting portion; a first pipe nut connected to the connecting portion on a first end of the connecting portion and configured for attachment to a first water tank piping connection; and a second pipe nut connected to the connecting portion on a second end of the connecting portion and configured for attachment to a second water tank piping connection.
 2. The handle of claim 1, wherein each of the first pipe nut and the second pipe nut is a female pipe nut.
 3. The handle of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second pipe nuts is a swivel fitting.
 4. The handle of claim 1, wherein each of the first pipe nut and the second pipe nut comprises ¾″ National Pipe Threading.
 5. The handle of claim 1, wherein the water tank is a water heater.
 6. The handle of claim 5, wherein the first water tank piping connection is associated with a cold water inlet port of the water heater, and the second water tank piping connection is associated with a hot water outlet port of the water heater.
 7. The handle of claim 1 wherein each of the first water tank piping connection and the second water tank piping connection is an outward extending nipple.
 8. The handle of claim 7 wherein the outward extending nipple comprises ¾″ National Pipe Threading.
 9. The handle of claim 1, wherein the connecting portion comprises a flexible material configured to bend.
 10. The handle of claim 9, wherein the flexible material comprises a hydraulic hose, and wherein the hydraulic hose is crimped to the first pipe nut and the second pipe nut.
 11. The handle of claim 1, further comprising a protective sock that surrounds the connecting portion.
 12. The handle of claim 1, wherein the connecting portion comprises a rigid material.
 13. The handle of claim 12, wherein the connecting portion comprises a U-shape.
 14. The handle of claim 12, wherein a length between a first center of the first pipe nut and a second center of the second pipe nut is eight inches.
 15. The handle of claim 12, wherein the connecting portion comprises an ergonomic shape that accommodates a user's fingers.
 16. The handle of claim 1, wherein the connecting portion comprises a loop.
 17. A handle for assisting in manually moving a water tank comprising: a connecting portion; and a pipe nut connected to the connecting portion and configured for attachment to a water tank nipple.
 18. A method for manually moving a water tank comprising: attaching a first pipe nut of a water tank handle to a first water tank piping connection of the water tank; attaching a second pipe nut of the water tank handle to a second water tank piping connection of the water tank; and lifting the water tank by grasping a connection portion of the water tank handle between the first pipe nut and the second pipe nut.
 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: detaching the first pipe nut of the water tank handle from the first water tank piping connection of the water tank; and detaching the second pipe nut of the water tank handle from the second water tank piping connection of the water tank.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein each of the first and second pipe nuts comprises a swivel fitting, and wherein attaching the first and second pipe nuts comprises screwing on the swivel fitting of each of the first and second pipe nuts to a first or second nipple of the water tank. 